I hear you, Serena. Sending hugs. A Caregiver's to-do list never ends, and often, we're stretched like elastic bands beyond what we thought was the snap point. I try to avoid listing things in my head because it's depressing! All we can do is the highest priority/most urgent on the list. We're not superhuman...just perfectly imperfect humans doing our best. Great article with very good points! Take care xo
Thanks Victoria! I feel like you embody this reality so well, especially in how well you prioritize. Thanks for the reminder that we can embrace being imperfect humans who try our best but don't have to do it all.
🩷 aw Thanks, Mika. Serena's articulated several examples that mirrored those with my Dad, hearts are torn and bruised many times over and choices lie in the best of alls bad. Serena's article expresses that neatly.
Following your posts has taught me so much about special needs children and given me an informed perspective on their routines that differ from mine. I have admiration for the intense balancing act of everything you do. Even a spreadsheet of medical expenses. Thank you for sharing your life with us and in effect teaching us about techniques we might adopt for ourselves.
Hey Jane! I always appreciate your comments and how curious you are. Thanks for your encouragement. Yes the medical spreadsheet is essential.... and a little shocking at times when we see how much medical treatment costs before insurance! :)
Serena, thank you for this post. I don't personally have a chronically-ill child (though I am a mama of three kiddos), but I've had dear friends throughout the years with either chronic illnesses themselves or with children chronically ill. One friend now has two chronically ill teens, and they are still isolated due to pandemic complications. I'd like to share your newsletter with her, because I believe it will bring some hope and light to her. Thank you for sharing your wisdom, and the wisdom from others that you've gleaned. It's incredibly important to speak rest and renewal and hope out into the world!
This is so true. And one of things I find hard when people talk about all parenting being tiring. Doing all the extra things involved in parenting kids with additional needs is a whole other level! Thank you for the encouragement to say no to doing anything extra out of the home.
Yes, Faith! Parenting kids with special needs/ additional needs adds a whole new level! I even see the difference in my own family, in parenting one neurodiverse kid with big health needs compared to my neurotypical kids. It's different! Yeah, sometimes we just need to give ourselves permission or give it to each other! I definitely can't do it alone myself. :)
A wealth of healthy parenting advice in this post that lands especially well because it's written in such a spirit of honest vulnerability. Thank you for this!
I hear you, Serena. Sending hugs. A Caregiver's to-do list never ends, and often, we're stretched like elastic bands beyond what we thought was the snap point. I try to avoid listing things in my head because it's depressing! All we can do is the highest priority/most urgent on the list. We're not superhuman...just perfectly imperfect humans doing our best. Great article with very good points! Take care xo
Thanks Victoria! I feel like you embody this reality so well, especially in how well you prioritize. Thanks for the reminder that we can embrace being imperfect humans who try our best but don't have to do it all.
I was thinking of you as I read this. 💕
🩷 aw Thanks, Mika. Serena's articulated several examples that mirrored those with my Dad, hearts are torn and bruised many times over and choices lie in the best of alls bad. Serena's article expresses that neatly.
Thanks Victoria! :)
Following your posts has taught me so much about special needs children and given me an informed perspective on their routines that differ from mine. I have admiration for the intense balancing act of everything you do. Even a spreadsheet of medical expenses. Thank you for sharing your life with us and in effect teaching us about techniques we might adopt for ourselves.
Hey Jane! I always appreciate your comments and how curious you are. Thanks for your encouragement. Yes the medical spreadsheet is essential.... and a little shocking at times when we see how much medical treatment costs before insurance! :)
Serena, thank you for this post. I don't personally have a chronically-ill child (though I am a mama of three kiddos), but I've had dear friends throughout the years with either chronic illnesses themselves or with children chronically ill. One friend now has two chronically ill teens, and they are still isolated due to pandemic complications. I'd like to share your newsletter with her, because I believe it will bring some hope and light to her. Thank you for sharing your wisdom, and the wisdom from others that you've gleaned. It's incredibly important to speak rest and renewal and hope out into the world!
Thanks @Krissy Delaney! I’d love to connect with your friend. Sounds like you have been a great support to many friends in tough circumstances. :)
❤️
This is so true. And one of things I find hard when people talk about all parenting being tiring. Doing all the extra things involved in parenting kids with additional needs is a whole other level! Thank you for the encouragement to say no to doing anything extra out of the home.
Yes, Faith! Parenting kids with special needs/ additional needs adds a whole new level! I even see the difference in my own family, in parenting one neurodiverse kid with big health needs compared to my neurotypical kids. It's different! Yeah, sometimes we just need to give ourselves permission or give it to each other! I definitely can't do it alone myself. :)
A wealth of healthy parenting advice in this post that lands especially well because it's written in such a spirit of honest vulnerability. Thank you for this!
Thanks so much, Kelly!